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Implements the full encoding pipeline for Expert Sleepers ES-5 with ESX-8GT (gate) and ESX-8CV (CV) expanders as a native CLAP plugin. Encoder logic ported from Expert Sleepers' MIT-licensed Pure Data externals (https://github.com/expertsleepersltd/externals). - ES-5 encoder: packs 6 × 8-bit header values into stereo 24-bit audio - ESX-8GT encoder: 8 boolean gates → 1 byte - ESX-8CV encoder: 8 × 12-bit CV values via 64-phase state machine - 54 automatable parameters (6 header types + 48 gate/CV values) - State save/load for preset support - Builds on Linux (tested), macOS, and Windows
es5-clap
Native CLAP plugin for encoding gate and CV data for the Expert Sleepers ES-5 module via the ES-9 ADAT output. Replaces Silent Way's ES-5 Controller for DAWs with CLAP support (Bitwig, REAPER, etc.).
Supported Hardware
- ES-5 mk3 — 6 expansion headers, encoded via stereo ADAT pair
- ESX-8GT — 8 gate outputs per header (accent/velocity via PWM planned)
- ESX-8CV — 8 CV outputs per header (12-bit DAC, ±10V range)
Building
cmake -B build -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release
cmake --build build -j$(nproc)
Installation
Copy the built plugin to your CLAP plugin directory:
# Linux
cp build/es5-clap.clap ~/.clap/
# macOS
cp -r build/es5-clap.clap ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/
Usage in Bitwig
- Add ES-5 Encoder as an audio effect on a track
- Route the track's audio output to the ES-9 ADAT channel pair feeding your ES-5 (default: ADAT channels 7/8, configurable via jumper on the ES-5 PCB)
- Set each header's type to match your connected expander (GT or CV)
- Automate the gate/CV parameters from Bitwig's modulation system
Parameter Layout
| Parameter | ID | Range | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Header N Type | 1–6 | Off / GT / CV | Expander type on each header |
| HN Ch1–8 | N01–N08 | 0.0–1.0 | Gate (>0.5 = on) or CV value |
Encoder Protocol
Based on the MIT-licensed Pure Data externals by Expert Sleepers Ltd.
The ES-5 receives a stereo audio stream where each 24-bit sample packs 3 bytes (L = headers 1–3, R = headers 4–6). Each byte drives one expansion header:
- ESX-8GT: each bit = one gate output (8 gates per byte)
- ESX-8CV: 12-bit values serialized via a 3-state, 64-phase protocol
License
MIT — see LICENSE.
Encoder logic derived from Expert Sleepers Ltd MIT-licensed source code.
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